A CARRIS não divulga supressões?!

Ontem, um problema internacional. Ou melhor, luso-americano…

Hoje, um problema nacional que, é sabido, não afecta apenas Lisboa.

No passado domingo, ao final da tarde, fiquei pespegado na paragem do 723 do início da rua Duarte Pacheco Pereira, a Pedrouços, durante quase UMA HORA.

À medida que o tempo ia passando, iam-me ocorrendo diferentes hipóteses: que o autocarro que já deveria ter passado ter-se-ia avariado… Ou que o horário afixado estaria desactualizado… Até que me dei conta de que, no sentido contrário, nenhum autocarro passara ainda! Percebi então que a carreira só poderia ter sido suprimida! Um residente local acabou por confirmar-me que há já alguns domingos não via o dito autocarro circular por ali…

Afinal, como é que é?!

Há ou não há uma rede urbana de transportes públicos com a qual os utentes possam contar?

Independentemente do título de transporte que cada um exiba, o fundamental – e o mais importante! – é que se saiba que, à hora x, se pode ser transportado e não ficar apeado numa paragem qualquer, sem saber o que fazer em seguida.

Espero e desejo que a CARRIS se mantenha honesta na sua relação com os utentes.

Pois espero, mas tenho cada vez mais dúvidas…

[Este texto já foi publicado no Facebook]

RIC

Dia Internacional contra a Corrupção

International Anti-Corruption Day is a time for political leaders, governments, legal bodies and lobby groups to work together against corruption work by promoting the day and the issues that surround this event.

On this day anti-corruption advocates organize events to engage the general public to effectively fight against corruption and fraud in communities. Other activities that promote the day include:

Musicals and plays to publicize the message of fighting against corruption.

Keynote speeches by those who were victims of corruption or fought against it.

Essay competitions on issues surrounding the topic of corruption.

The dissemination of posters, flyers and other material to increase awareness levels on corruption.

Some organizations hold special recognition ceremonies to pay tribute to people and projects that provide assistance to nations and communities in the battle against corruption.

Corruption comes in various forms such as bribery, law-breaking without dealing with the consequences in a fair manner, unfairly amending election processes and results, and covering mistakes or silencing whistleblowers (those who expose corruption in hope that justice would be served).

By resolution 58/4 of October 31, 2003, the UN General Assembly designated December 9 as International Anti-Corruption Day. This decision aimed to raise people’s awareness of corruption and of the role of the United Nations Convention against Corruption in combating and preventing it.

The assembly urged all states and competent regional economic integration organizations to sign and ratify the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) to ensure its rapid entry into force.

... Pois é, não há volta a dar-lhe: ou lhes chegamos forte e feio ou, qualquer dia, vamos a «eleições» para escolher o melhor banco que nos há-de governar… E assim, governar-se…

Mas como não são só os bancos as grandes vedetas do espectáculo, temos de nos manter atentos às corjas que estão apostadas em nos deixar depenados, lisos, limpos, exangues…

RIC

Do Tratado da Reforma... que o não é!...

«Les présidents européens, Sarkozy en tête, ont annoncé samedi 23 juin que la construction européenne était sauvée et qu'un «traité simplifié» allait remplacer la constitution rejetée par référendum.
Pour les divers états européens, il s'agit toujours d'arriver à fabriquer une constitution qui permette à l'Union de fonctionner à 27. Mais les plus puissants d'entre eux, la France, l'Allemagne, la Grande-Bretagne, veulent que les décisions se prennent suivant un procédé qui, tout en donnant un aspect démocratique à la chose, leur permette de dicter leur loi.
C'est pourquoi la discussion achoppe essentiellement sur la façon de voter et sur la valeur obligatoire ou non pour tous les pays des décisions prises. Y aura-t-il un vote par pays ou un nombre de voix proportionnel à la population? Le «traité simplifié», comme le traité constitutionnel avant lui, prévoit un savant dosage calculé de façon à ce que l'alliance des pays les plus riches puisse bloquer toute décision contraire à leurs intérêts, mais imposer leur politique aux pays les plus pauvres… au nom d'un vote démocratique. Ce qui explique en tout cas que la Pologne, pays à la fois pauvre et peuplé de 40 millions d'habitants, ait tenté d'obtenir un mode de fonctionnement qui lui soit plus favorable, et que les réactionnaires et nationalistes frères Kazcynsky qui la dirigent aient pu trouver là un terrain de choix…
Peine perdue, c'est le mode électoral concocté par les pays riches qui s'appliquera… un jour. Car pour l'instant et jusqu'en 2014 (voire 2017) c'est le traité de Nice qui reste en vigueur. Et pour le moment, seuls des «principes» ont été définis. Aucun texte n'est écrit, ni accepté et encore moins ratifié.Les cris de victoire des négociateurs sont donc pour le moins prématurés et surtout à valeur intérieure, permettant à la presse française d'attribuer le «succès» à Sarkozy, la presse allemande à Merkel et la britannique à Blair…
Bien plus que l'opposition des «petits» pays, en particulier de la Pologne chargée de tous les péchés dans cette affaire, ce sont les rivalités toujours actuelles des grandes puissances qui entravent la construction européenne. Même d'une Europe au service des capitalistes.»

Paul Galois

Os presidentes europeus, Sarkozy à cabeça, anunciaram sábado 23 de Junho que a construção europeia estava salva e que um "tratado simplificado" substituiria a constituição rejeitada por referendo [França e Países Baixos].
Para os diversos estados europeus, trata-se sempre de conseguir fabricar uma constituição que permita à União funcionar a 27. Mas os mais poderosos – França, Alemanha e Grã-Bretanha – querem que as decisões se tomem de acordo com um método que, dando ao mesmo tempo um aspecto democrático à coisa, lhes permita ditar a sua lei.
É por isso que a discussão tropeça essencialmente na maneira de votar e no valor obrigatório ou não para todos os países das decisões tomadas. Haverá um voto por país ou um número de votos proporcional à população? O "tratado simplificado", como o tratado constitucional antes dele, prevê uma sábia dosagem calculada de modo que a aliança dos países mais ricos possa bloquear qualquer decisão contrária aos seus interesses, mas impor a sua política aos países mais pobres… em nome de um voto democrático. O que explica em todo caso que a Polónia, país ao mesmo tempo pobre e com 40 milhões de habitantes, tenha tentado obter um modo de funcionamento que lhe seja mais favorável, e que os reaccionários e nacionalistas irmãos Kazcynsky que a governam tenham aí podido encontrar um terreno de eleição…
Em vão, pois é o modo eleitoral engendrado pelos países ricos que será aplicado… um dia. De momento, e até 2014 (ou mesmo 2017), é o tratado de Nice que continua a estar em vigor. E por agora, apenas os "princípios" foram definidos. Nenhum texto está escrito, nem aceite e ainda menos ratificado.
Os gritos de vitória dos negociadores são por conseguinte pelo menos prematuros e sobretudo com valor interno, permitindo à imprensa francesa atribuir o "sucesso" à Sarkozy, à imprensa alemã a Merkel e à britânica a Blair…
Bem mais do que a oposição dos "pequenos" países, em especial da Polónia ajoujada com a carga de todos os pecados neste assunto, são as rivalidades actuais das grandes potências que obstruem a construção europeia. Mesmo de uma Europa ao serviço dos capitalistas.


E assim se vai titubeando em direcção a uma Europa que de unida tem muito pouco. Do meu ponto de vista, parece até que já esteve mais unida no tempo de Jacques Delors. De então para cá, é o que se tem visto…
Quanto à obsessão referendária, considero que a classe política – que se pavoneia pelos areópagos internacionais e se auto-intitula "actores políticos" (esta também Freud explicaria…) – pretende descartar-se das responsabilidades que lhe incumbem por inteiro e jogam com o facto de a maior parte dos europeus não só estar pouco informada dos verdadeiros e últimos desígnios da construção de uma Europa unida, como também pouco convicta da qualidade do trabalho feito em Bruxelas, digamos, nos últimos dez anos. Isto permite-lhes ganhar tempo e deixar ficar tudo mais ou menos na mesma… Em última instância, se a construção europeia falhar não será por culpa deles; serão os europeus que "não querem"…
A verdade é que, porém, o resto do mundo não pára, e a Europa vai ficando irremediavelmente para trás...

RIC

Diatribe against the Warsaw government

In Poland a campaign against homophobia was launched a while ago, consisting of two aggressive posters, displayed almost in a clandestine way, whose single message was

– CO SIĘ GAPISZ LESBO?! – What are you looking at, you dyke?!

– CO SIĘ GAPISZ PEDALE?! – What are you looking at, you faggot?!

Allegedly, its goal was to catch the attention of the Polish people so that they got informed about the campaign.
Well, I don't know. I really don't…

The insolent scaling of pan-Slavic homophobia in Eastern Europe is becoming absolutely intolerable, being particularly incited by Polish and Russian governmental authorities. 'Secret' police forces – fabulous device in a democratic society! – have recently been sent after LGBT activists.

As far as the European Union is concerned – and Poland is a member, even if kept hostage by the grotesque twins –, this fierce homophobic attitude of the Polish government should be regarded as an inadmissible affront to democratic basic principles.

And the Council of Europe should rise above its coward fears and straightforwardly condemn the Warsaw government for its utmost disrespect of the European Convention on Human Rights.


Here is my outraged answer to each and every homophobic member of the Polish government (just in case they should cast their eye over this page...)

– CO SIĘ GAPISZ KURVA?!

– CO SIĘ GAPISZ BĘKART?!

Enjoy your new status of medieval bigots in the eyes of the European public opinion, you abhorrent, shameless morons!

And don't you worry a thing: that status of yours will definitely last on and on, as your bad reputation will too, no doubt about it!

RIC

The 'all we want is lots of money' club session

Heiligendamm – She may once have been dismissed as 'the girl' of German politics, but as hostess of the G8 summit, chancellor Angela Merkel appeared on course to secure her extraordinary position as one of her country's most popular leaders on record.

'Das Mädchen', the girl, as Helmut Kohl always called her, soon became environment minister, promptly replaced Mr Kohl as conservative party leader and became Germany's conservative chancellor in November 2005.

Yesterday 'the girl' was facing her biggest test since taking office as the head of Germany's grand coalition government of conservatives and Social Democrats in 2005. In the run up to the G8 summit, Mrs Merkel set herself the highly ambitious goal of bringing the Americans on side in her popular campaign to combat climate change. 'The Americans were out of the UN process and did not ratify Kyoto – it would be a giant step forward if we could bring them back in,' she insisted in an interview last week.

Despite the rhetoric, it was becoming increasingly apparent yesterday that Mrs Merkel would not succeed at least for the time being, in achieving her objective. However, in terms of her own political standing, her failure is almost irrelevant.

Under Mrs Merkel's leadership, Germany's conservatives have also increased their popularity and if a general election were to be held tomorrow, her party would easily manage to jettison their unwelcome Social Democrat coalition partners and form a governing alliance with the preferred liberal Free Democrat Party.

Most German commentators agree that Angela Merkel has broken the mould in German politics. Her style, which involves quiet but serious discussion, a commitment to 'serve' and a complete lack of showmanship, contrasts hugely with her macho predecessors, Kohl and Schröder.

Yet most of her triumphs so far have involved foreign policy. Since becoming chancellor, Mrs Merkel has succeeded in rebuilding the wreck of German-American relations left by her immediate predecessor and putting her country's relations with Russia on a more realistic footing. She also masterminded a new deal on EU financing.

Mrs Merkel's decision to embrace the issue of climate change, first at a European level, at Berlin's hosting of the European summit in March, and subsequently in the run up to the G8, has gone down well in Germany – the country that invented the Green party and dislikes George Bush. It is another card that could help her to remain chancellor after 2009.





«Klimawandel als weltgrößtes Sicherheitsrisiko

Der Klimawandel bedroht nach Einschätzung der Bundesregierung die weltweite Sicherheit und Stabilität mehr als der Terrorismus.
Konflikte um Wasser und Nahrung drohten in den nächsten 15 bis 30 Jahren zuzunehmen, warnen die Gutachter.

Climatic change as world largest safety risk

Climatic change threatens world-wide security and stability more than terrorism according to a Federal Government evaluation.
Conflicts about water and food threaten to increase in the next 15 to 30 years, the consultants warn.

Merkel schreibt Durchbruch beim Klimaschutz ab

Regionale Köstlichkeiten und ein schwer verdauliches Gesprächsthema: Bei Kraftbrühe und Spargel hat Kanzlerin Merkel zum Auftakt des G-8-Gipfels versucht, den US-Präsidenten vom Sinn konkreter Klimaschutz-Ziele zu überzeugen – ohne Erfolg.
Nun setzt Merkel auf Pragmatismus.

Merkel depreciates breakthrough in climatic protection

Regional appetizers and a topic for discussion of difficult digestion: with broth and asparagus, as a prelude to the G8 summit chancellor Merkel tried to convince US president of the sense of concrete climatic protection goals – without success. Now Merkel sets on pragmatism.

G-8-Chefs streiten über Afrika und Aids-Hilfe

Nach außen zeigen sie bei ersten G-8-Abendessen Harmonie - innen herrscht Zwietracht. Nicht nur in der Klimapolitik, auch bei der Afrika- und Aids-Hilfe sind die Staats- und Regierungschefs jetzt auf Konfrontationskurs.
Einst zugesagte Entwicklungshilfe droht zu kippen.

G8 leaders argue about Africa and AIDS assistance

Outward they show harmony at the first G8 dinners – inside discord prevails. Not only in climatic politics, but also as far as Africa and AIDS assistance are concerned, presidents and prime ministers are now on confrontation course.
The development assistance once assured now threatens to tilt.»





Next Friday afternoon, according to rumors spread in Rostock, presidents and prime ministers will attend an ecumenical religious service to give thanks for the wellbeing of globalized capitalism.
May the gods listen to their prayers…

Translated and edited by
RIC

Pelo Município de Lisboa!

Basta de caixeiros-viajantes!
Basta de pára-quedistas!
Basta de espantalhos!
Basta de fantoches!
Basta de oportunistas mancomunados com tudo o que é pato-bravo!
Basta de hordas de assessores da treta para tudo quanto é tanga, a 5.000 € por cabeça!
Basta de um Município com pretensões a empresa privada de má qualidade!

Vamos limpar a casa e pôr ordem nos assuntos municipais!
Vamos eleger a próxima autarca, de quem esta cidade está tão precisada!
Vamos apoiar Helena Roseta!

A Minha Candidata

RIC

A few American «features»?

Hoplomania?… (From ‛όπλον - weapon)

The USA are no longer a land of pioneers. The whole mythology of the Far West, of Indians and cowboys fighting one another, of outlaws everywhere simply should be banned.
Keeping guns at home cannot be compatible with a civilised society. A 200 year old constitutional right cannot be the poor excuse. If anyone can get a gun as a «prize» for opening a bank account (maybe – wishfully – not in every State!), why all the awe about deeds like the Virginia Tech massacre?
You tell me!

Pyromania?… (From πΰρ - fire)

Main characters in hundreds and hundreds of American movies are arsons, explosions, and huge fires. No «action» movie really does without them.
Is there somehow an American cultural pyromania or – which would be a lot worse! – pyrophilia? Or is it a trauma dating back to the days when whole wooden cities could be blown away by dreadful fires?
You tell me!

Tichomania?… (From τεϊχος - wall)

Please follow my reasoning: Berlin, Germany, Korea, Vietnam, Mexico, Gaza, and now Baghdad… Is there a pattern here?
For sure, we all know this: administrations and governments do make awful mistakes that in many cases aren't at all sanctioned by those of us, anonymous citizens, who in honest conviction elected them. But… Isn't it a little bit too much to try and solve serious problems between peoples by building up walls? Can any kind of segregation be understood as a democratic way of dealing with human rights issues?
You tell me!

RIC

II. Conversa da treta e paleio moderno…

Felizmente só terei de suportar este descalabro da inteligência nacional apenas mais uns dias… Depois, não terei de a ver. Posso voltar à minha torre de marfim...
Se me obrigassem a aturar este desvairo por mais tempo, juro que tudo faria para contrariar este meu atavismo de ficar aqui – quedo e mudo – e tentaria, finalmente, a minha sorte na emigração.
Já não há c… que aguente tanto disparate junto nos debates, nas sessões de esclarecimento, nas conversas informais, nos apontamentos noticiosos, nos mil e um éditos que há não sei quanto tempo já estou fartíssimo de ler neste, naquele e naqueloutro blogue… Basta!
Por todos os deuses juntos! Para quê?! Para rigorosamente NADA!
Como a capacidade persuasiva ronda o zero (já que os argumentos são sempre menos racionais – leia‑se entendíveis – e cada vez mais desesperados), na sua vasta maioria quem acha que sim, fica‑se pelo sim, quem acha que não, fica‑se pelo não… Curioso, não é?

"Ah portugueses, só vos faltam as qualidades!"
Almada Negreiros

Um referendo, tendo que ver apenas com a consciência de cada um, deveria estar ao abrigo deste descalabro folclórico e cretino das "campanhas eleitorais".
Deveria ser proibido sermos obrigados a assistir a tal pornografia/escropragia televisiva.
Abomino a estupidez e, mais ainda, quem e tudo o que a promove!
A nossa Constituição, já que não nos salva de uma Assembleia que se demite – convenientemente – de nos representar, deveria, ao menos, salvaguardar‑nos destes momentos tétricos a que não temos como fugir.
Estou já farto de ouvir tanto disparate junto! De parte a parte. E, perdoem‑me os mais jovens, mas os argumentos aduzidos são a prova provada de que nós, portugueses, continuamos de todo a não saber pensar. Bem pelo contrário! Pensa‑se em Portugal como se joga futebol – remata‑se e… logo se vê.
Se a História não me provasse cabalmente o contrário, diria que somos um povo incomensuravelmente estúpido. E eu seria um dos estúpidos.
Mas, pelos vistos, fazemos finca‑pé em permanecer – orgulhosamente sós – na cauda da Europa.
Então está bem! Se é assim que queremos, então depois não nos queixemos. Tudo o que não presta tem custos avultados… Ou isto é ainda novidade para alguém?

RIC

II. Ban death penalty, for Heaven's sake!

"Washington – Zumindest vorerst hat der Gouverneur von Florida, Jeb Bush, die Vollstreckung von Todesstrafen mit der Giftspritze für die kommenden Monate ausgesetzt. Es drohe sonst die Verletzung der Verfassungsrechte, sagte der Bruder des Präsidenten George W. Bush laut MSNBC in Miami. Eine Untersuchungskommission soll nun bis Anfang März prüfen, ob Hinrichtungen mit Giftspritzen überhaupt verfassungsgemäß sind. Allein in Florida warten nach Medienberichten derzeit 374 Menschen auf die Todesstrafe in den Gefängnissen.
Hintergrund ist die schwere Panne bei der Hinrichtung des 55-jährigen Angel Nieves Diaz in der vergangenen Nacht. Er war erst nach qualvollen 34 Minuten gestorben. Normalerweise dauere es "wesentlich kürzer", wurde der Gefängnisarzt zitiert.
Diaz war 1979 wegen eines Mordes zum Tode verurteilt worden."

Die Tochter und die Schwester des Angel Nieves Diaz während seiner Hinrichtung vor dem Gefängnis.
Angel Nieves Diaz' daughter and sister outside the prison during his execution.

Washington – At least for the time being, Florida's governor, Jeb Bush, has suspended the enforcement of death penalties by lethal injections for the coming months. Otherwise an injury of the constitutional rights may be a threat, said President George W. Bush's brother, according to MSNBC in Miami. A commission of inquiry has now to examine until the beginning of March whether executions by lethal injections are at all constitutional. Alone in Florida 374 people are waiting at present for the death penalty in prisons, according to media reports.
The motive of the suspension is the heavy breakdown during the execution of the 55 year old Angel Nieves Diaz last night. He died only after some excruciating 34 minutes. Normally it lasts "substantially less time", said the prison doctor.
Diaz had been condemned to death in 1979 because of a murder.

Did this happen in today's United States of America or in Pinochet's Chile?
Has Fidel Castro been doing the same in Cuba?
What on earth is going on in Guantánamo?
I was looking for some information on Peace Vigils all over the world today, when I came across this barbaric news.
So much for my peace thoughts…

RIC

II. Referendo 2007

Ficámos a saber há dias que o Presidente da República marcou já o referendo nacional sobre a Despenalização da Interrupção Voluntária da Gravidez até às dez semanas para o próximo dia 11 de Fevereiro de 2007, data com a qual todos os partidos políticos representados na Assembleia da República manifestaram já o seu acordo e anuência.

A few days ago the President of the Republic announced the national referendum on the Non-penalization of the Voluntary Interruption of the Pregnancy until ten weeks for next February 11.th 2007. All of the political parties represented in the Assembly of the Republic revealed their agreement and consent to this date.

Dou, aqui e hoje, a minha opinião sobre o assunto, ao qual não voltarei.
Não é minha intenção encetar qualquer polémica.
Prezo a vida acima de tudo.
Abomino tudo o que significa o seu fim.
Da horrenda e bárbara pena de morte, contra a qual, aliás, a Santa Sé raramente se insurge, ao terrível aborto clandestino, que ainda hoje entre nós estropia e mata mulheres.
Muitas ou poucas, é‑me absolutamente indiferente.
Mata.


Não contra‑argumentem, por favor, com a vida do embrião. As escolhas, neste mundo imperfeito feito por homens e mulheres, impõem‑se por si: entre um ser vivo «em acto» que está neste mundo e uma entidade biológica que é um ser «em potência» indesejado ou não, a minha escolha está feita. Quanto ao facto de «poder ser» razão para abuso como meio contraceptivo, gostaria apenas de dizer aos homens – e a algumas mulheres – que assim pensam que deveriam ter as mulheres e o seu psiquismo em melhor conta.

RIC

On world doctrines...

George W. Bush has been listening both to the nationalists in his immediate circle and to the neocons within and outside the government. His doctrine was developed from both currents, and can be reduced to three central points:

i) There is no way 9/11 can repeat itself, and therefore terrorists must be hunted down wherever they are – even if preventive impacts not sanctioned by international legal rules should be necessary.

ii) The nightmare comes from those states, which protect terrorists like the Qaeda network, and can possibly put nuclear weapons in their hands – they are to be attacked with all means.

iii) The USA must secure the endangered energy supply from the oil-richest region in the world; for that purpose the country needs a strategic bridgehead in the Middle East.
How fragile for instance pro-American Saudi Arabia could become as a supplier is shown by the counterflows against the corrupt Royal Family – 15 among the 19 9/11 assassins were Saudi Arabian citizens.

Comments on

i) The methods used to hunt terrorists down have not only discredited the USA government abroad, but also mean a harsh blow to democracy itself. (CIA flights in Europe and Guantanamo).

ii) The rhetoric involving "evil axes" works no longer. The common citizen is now aware of this administration's intentions: attacking some states and not others is decided by the economic/energetic agenda, not by moral or ethic principles and values.

iii) That strategic bridgehead in the Middle East is now – and will be in the long term – Iraq. USA armed forces won't leave the country for as long as it is submerged in civil war. A foreseeable carnage is already occurring between Sunnites and Shiites. And it won't be over so soon. Meanwhile, many American corporations will be taking advantage of the situation.

RIC

Polish government continues to spew homo-hate

Doug Ireland, in Direland

(This article was written for Gay City News, NYC)

"[…] On October 14, the Polish vice minister of education, Miroslaw Orzechowski, was asked by an interviewer for the daily Wyborcza Gazeta about the firing of Miroslaw Sielatycki, director of the Polish National Teacher Training Centre, dismissed in June for having distributed to schools a manual on how to teach tolerance, prepared by the Council of Europe, of which Poland is a member country. The manual included material on non-discrimination against homosexuals and the rights of same-sex couples.

“This is the most drastic form of lies – that two individuals of the same sex can have a relationship,” Orzechowski told the newspaper. “I mean, it does happen, but you cannot legalize it because it ruins our civilization.”

Asked by the interviewer, “Where is the space, then, for tolerance of difference?” the vice minister replied, “Oh, the world used to manage without tolerance and it will keep on going without it. We cannot have a couple of maniacs deciding the fate of our civilization.”

The manuals, which included teaching tolerance of homosexuality, he said, “have been locked up, and will not be distributed any further.”

In a separate interview four days earlier, the new head of the National Teacher Training Centre, Teresa Lecka, had told Wyborcza Gazeta, “The school’s role is to teach the distinction between good and evil, between beauty and ugliness… The school must show the drama, the emptiness, and the degeneration that homosexual practices lead to… Active homosexuality is a practice that is contrary to human nature. Polish schools should prefer good patterns of behaviour that lead to family relationships.” Teaching about homosexuality, she said, must show “the limits of freedom for young people.”

Both these senior Polish officials were appointed by the Kaczynzskis’ ultra-homophobic minister of education, Roman Giertych, head of the Catholic nationalist, gay-baiting, anti-Semitic League of Polish Families party, the third member of the Kaczynskis’ right-wing governing coalition. […]"

Is the Polish government considering the possibility of reactivating all the many concentration camps the Nazis established in the country?
Because, if tolerance may not be taught – "it ruins our civilization" – and freedom is available only for some – "the limits of freedom [must be shown to] young people", large thousands, even millions, of Poles will definitely have to be re-educated…

Do you know when exactly George Orwell published "Animal Farm" and "1984"?

Is this the Europe we all want to build and be an integral part of?
What is going on – or not going at all – in Brussels, Strasburg, Luxemburg?
Why haven't we, European citizens, heard a single word yet from the Council of Europe about this serious matter?
How is it possible that people like these are responsible for cultural and educational policies in a country as Poland? Or is this somehow admissible in Poland and other member states but not in, say, France, UK, Germany and others?
Once again, George Orwell: "Some are more equal than others."
With this Europe I have nothing whatsoever to do.

Ireland supports gay couples

Dublin – «A new public opinion poll shows the majority of people in Ireland believe same‑sex couples should have the same rights and obligations as married opposite‑sex couples.
But the survey also shows most people do not think same‑sex couples should be allowed to adopt children.
The survey, taken for Dublin's Sunday Tribune, shows that 64% of those polled said they are in favour of gay and lesbian couples having the same legal and financial rights as married couples.
Just over 25% of those surveyed said were against same‑sex couple rights, while about 10% had no opinion.
The poll shows a growing trend toward acceptance of gay and lesbian partners. In February, 51% of those surveyed in a similar poll said they supported legally acknowledging gay couples.
Last January an all party committee of the Irish Parliament recommended legislation to permit civil partnerships similar to those in the UK but rejected the possibility of same-sex marriage.
The Gay and Lesbian Equality Network has been pressing for full marriage rights.
This issue is before Ireland's highest court. The case involves a couple who married in Canada but when they returned home and tried to file a joint income tax return the Revenue Commissioners refused to recognize the marriage citing Irish law. The court heard arguments in the case earlier this month and has reserved judgment.
If the court rules the government must recognize marriages performed in countries where they are already legal it could open a floodgate of couples going to the Netherlands, Belgium or Spain and force the government to bring in full marriage rights rather than civil partnerships.
While public support for same-sex couple recognition continues to grow in Ireland support for gay parenting lags.
The Sunday Tribune poll shows that 50% of those asked about same-sex couples becoming parents said that they oppose the idea. Only 37% were in favour.»

© 365Gay.com

Ireland is on the right path now. Italy seems to be heading that way too. What about Portugal? The Prime Minister should know what he's doing. The problem is I don't believe he does. Better: I don't believe he ever wants to know...

This is a Republican / Eis um Republicano

Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary.
Jesus ama-te e partilha o teu ódio aos homossexuais e a Hillary Clinton.

Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush's daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him, and a bad guy when Bush needed a "we can't find Bin Laden" diversion.
Saddam era um bom tipo quando Reagan o armou, um bandido quando o papá Bush lhe fez guerra, um bom tipo quando Cheney fez negócios com ele e um bandido quando Bush precisou de uma diversão para "não conseguimos achar o Bin Laden".

Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is Communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony.
O comércio com Cuba está mal porque o país é comunista, mas o comércio com a China e o Vietname é vital para um espírito de harmonia internacional.

The United States should get out of the United Nations, and our highest national priority is enforcing U.N. resolutions against Iraq.
Os Estados Unidos deveriam abandonar as Nações Unidas, e a nossa maior prioridade nacional é promover as resoluções da ONU contra o Iraque.

A woman can't be trusted with decisions about her own body, but multi-national corporations can make decisions affecting all mankind without regulation.
Não se pode confiar a uma mulher que decida sobre o seu próprio corpo, mas as multinacionais podem tomar decisões que afectam toda a humanidade sem regulamentação.

The best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches, while slashing veterans' benefits and combat pay.
A melhor forma de elevar o moral militar é elogiar as tropas em discursos, enquanto se cortam os benefícios dos veteranos e o soldo dos combatentes.

If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won't have sex.
Se os preservativos forem mantidos fora das escolas, os adolescentes não terão relações sexuais.

A good way to fight terrorism is to belittle our long-time allies, then demand their cooperation and money.
Uma boa forma de combater o terrorismo é apoucar os nossos aliados de sempre e depois pedir‑lhes cooperação e dinheiro.

Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy, but providing health to all Americans is socialism. HMOs and insurance companies have the best interests of the public at heart.
Fornecer cuidados de saúde a todos os iraquianos é uma política sólida, mas assegurar a saúde a todos os americanos é socialismo. As organizações de seguros de saúde e as companhias de seguros levam a peito os melhores interesses do público.

Global warming and tobacco's link to cancer are junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools.
O aquecimento global e o nexo entre o tabaco e o cancro são ciência da treta, mas o criacionismo deveria ser ensinado nas escolas.

A president lying about an extra-marital affair is an impeachable offense, but a president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands (more than half a million by some estimates) die is solid defense policy.
A mentira de um presidente sobre uma relação extra-matrimonial é crime condenável, mas a mentira de um presidente para angariar apoio a uma guerra em que milhares (mais de meio milhão, segundo algumas estimativas) morrem é sólida política de defesa.

Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages and censoring the Internet.
O governo deveria limitar-se aos poderes consignados na Constituição, que incluem banir casamentos homossexuais e censurar a Internet.

The public has a right to know about Hillary's cattle trades, but George Bush's driving record is none of our business.
O público tem o direito de saber dos negócios de gado de Hillary Clinton, mas o recorde de condução de Bush não nos diz respeito.

Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you're a conservative radio host. Then it's an illness and you need our prayers for your recovery.
Ser‑se toxicodependente é uma falha moral e um crime, a menos que se seja um radialista conservador. Neste caso, é uma doença, e as nossas orações são necessárias à sua recuperação.

What Bill Clinton did in the 60's is of vital national interest, but what Bush did in the 80's is irrelevant.
O que Bill Clinton fez nos anos 60 é de vital interesse nacional, mas o que Bush fez nos anos 80 é irrelevante.

If you don't send it to at least 10 other people, we're likely to be stuck with more Republicans in '06 and '08. Remember; friends don't let friends vote Republican.
Se não enviares a pelo menos mais 10 pessoas, o mais provável é levarmos com mais Republicanos em 2006 e 2008. Lembra-te: os amigos não deixam os amigos votar Republicano.

This world in our eyes...

Bushs All-Macht-Doktrin
(Auszüge)
Von/By Markus Becker
Bush's Space Power Doctrine
(Excerpts)

«Das amerikanische Militär hat bereits Milliarden von Dollar für die Entwicklung von Waffen ausgegeben, die im Weltraum stationiert werden sollen – darunter Technologie für Attacken auf irdische Ziele und feindliche Satelliten.
"Die Handlungsfreiheit im Weltraum ist für die Vereinigten Staaten genauso wichtig wie die Macht in der Luft und zur See", heißt es in der "National Space Policy". Man werde "andere davon abbringen oder abschrecken", die Ausübung der amerikanischen Rechte im Weltraum zu stören oder auch nur Technologien zu diesem Zweck zu entwickeln.
Man werde "auf Eingriffe antworten" und "falls nötig Gegnern die Benutzung von Weltraumtechnologie untersagen, die US-Interessen feindlich ist".
Mit anderen Worten: Sollte eine andere Nation auch nur den Versuch unternehmen, mit den USA im Weltraum zu konkurrieren, bekommt sie es mit der US-Regierung zu tun.
Bush erteilt in dem Dokument Verteidigungsminister Donald Rumsfeld den Auftrag, Militär- und Spionagetechnologie für den Weltraum nicht nur zu entwickeln, sondern auch einzusetzen.»

The American military already spent billions of dollars on the development of weapons, which are to be stationed in space – among them technology for attacks on terrestrial goals and hostile satellites.
"The freedom of action in space is just as important to the USA as power in air and at sea", stands in the "National Space Policy". "Others will be diverted or deterred from" disturbing the practice of American rights in space or also only from developing technologies for this purpose. One "will answer to interferences" and "if necessary will forbid opponents the use of space technology, which is hostile to the interests of the USA".
In other words, even if another nation should undertake only the attempt to compete with the USA in space, it will have to seriously deal with the USA government.
In the document Bush orders the Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld not only to develop military and espionage technology for space but also to implement it.


… And as all these millions of dollars are being obscenely spent in space jokes, here is what's happening to human lives. Right here on Earth. Right now. According to the Blacksmith Institute these are the "World's 10 Worst-polluted Places":

Chernobyl, Ukraine
Dzerzhinsk, Russia
Bajos de Haina, Dominican Republic
Kabwe, Zambia
La Oroya, Peru
Linfen, China
Mailuu-Suu, Kyrgyzstan
Norilsk, Russia
Ranipet, India
Dalnegorsk and Rudnaya Pristan, Russia

«"Es gibt Städte, in denen die Lebenserwartung mittelalterliches Niveau erreicht, wo Geburtsdefekte der Normfall sind", steht in einer begleitenden Studie, die auch im Internet abrufbar ist. Erst kürzlich hatte die OVN berichtet, dass die Umweltverschmutzung 13 Millionen Menschen im Jahr tötet.»

"There are cities where life expectancy is at medieval level, where birth malformations are the normal case", stands in an accompanying study that can also be looked up in the internet. Only recently the UNO had reported that the environmental pollution kills 13 million humans every year.




... And if we keep in mind that 1/6 of the world population lives in absolute poverty (with less than € 0.80 per day), we won't have such a bright day even if the sun's shining...

III. Sem mobilização...

«Governo desmente possibilidade de adopção por casais do mesmo sexo»

«O ministro da Presidência, Silva Pereira, garantiu que o Governo não tem qualquer iniciativa planeada, relacionada com a adopção de crianças por casais homossexuais. O semanário «Sol» noticiou que vários deputados do PS se mostraram favoráveis à adopção de crianças por casais homossexuais e acreditam que a questão será colocada depois do referendo do aborto. “O Governo não tem inscrita no seu programa qualquer referência ao assunto e não está a pensar em nenhuma iniciativa sobre esta matéria”, afirmou Silva Pereira, no final do Conselho de Ministros. Os deputados ouvidos pelo «Sol» consideram que uma alteração da legislação sobre a adopção deverá ser feita depois do referendo ao aborto e na sequência da discussão do casamento de homossexuais. De acordo com o semanário, os deputados argumentam que os casais que querem adoptar uma criança têm de ser “sólidos” e “bons educadores” e que isso não tem necessariamente a ver com a sua orientação sexual.»

A pobreza nacional é, de facto, ultrafranciscana.
Nem os interessados se mobilizam, nem o socialismo português consegue ser tão socialista quanto o espanhol...
Porquê?!
Fiquemos, pois, à espera que os políticos nos entreguem, em salvas de prata e de mão beijada, o que desejamos.
Não nos mobilizemos que não é preciso...
Choraminguemos mais um bocadinho, que é o que está a dar. Sempre esteve, aliás.
E mais uma vez, em mais um assunto, Portugal fica cantando e rindo, qual bobo mentecapto, na cauda da Europa.
E, já agora, qual é a novidade?

"A minoria pode ter razão; a maioria está sempre errada."
Henrik Ibsen (dramaturgo norueguês do século XIX)

Gore Vidal about George W. Bush

In my opinion, the following text is another excellent example of Gore Vidal's commitment to American politics as he has been doing as a responsible citizen for many years now.

«(…)
What then did our very own Romulus Augustulus do during the rest of September 11th? He read some more of "The Pet Goat", knowing that his puppet-meister, vice‑president Cheney, was safely embedded in some secret spot. Then the little emperor was hustled away in Air Force One for a tour of our most luxurious bunkers where he might avoid the attentions of new attackers, should they come.
(…)
I think it was Vico who noted that busy republics tend to turn themselves into empires. Certainly, the French intellectual godfather to the American republic, Montesquieu, warned that republics which took the empire route would cease to be republics altogether while Vico, in his cyclic view of human societies, saw imperial republics evolving into dictatorships, chaos, barbarism. In the last five years American behaviour in the Middle East has been barbarous and will not soon be forgiven. Meanwhile, the gas-oil junta has hijacked the old American republic through the artful use of great quantities of corporate and church cash in order to falsify the electoral tallies of easily hacked electronic voting machinery; means now exist to nullify or alter any election returns as happened in Florida 2000; in Ohio 2004.

There is a good deal of grim comedy in the words if not the current deeds of the little president. Although he and his co-conspirators relish the use of the big lie (e. g. turning the dull but genuine war hero John Kerry into a cowardly fraud while ignoring the slackerdom of Bush and Cheney and Rumsfeld who proudly fought in none of our many wars). Now in an attempt to avoid blame for the Iraq war and further confuse the world about why Iran and Syria must be destroyed Old Rumsfeld and Old Cheney are trotting out dim garbled images of Hitler and appeasement as they pretend that the anti-war American majority favours Islamic fascism. They pretend terrorism is a demonic person. And if we don’t stop him in Tehran we’ll have to stop him here. This is ludicrous; unfortunately the junta is as ignorant of history and geography as they believe the public to be. Meanwhile, the little president worries about his "legacy" in the history books. But should he get World War Three going there might not be any more history books, a relief to a non-reader like himself, though, lately, he tells us that he is reading Camus and "three Shakespeares". No doubt tragedies. As we know, he lies with zest yet he was actually revealed reading "The Pet Goat" on television and the Greek word for goat is the same as the word for tragedy. If this is code, I am beginning to suspect him of irony, a fatal flaw in Freedom’s home. After all, on his first trip to New Orleans, he promised to restore the drowned city. But, as usual, nothing was done. Then this August 29 he was back in town to reassure high school students: "I’ve come back to New Orleans to tell you the words that I spoke on Jackson Square are just as true today as they were then." And so, of course, they were! Meanwhile, one hopes that some noble humanitarian will finally shut the doors of the temple of Janus which have not been shut since December of 1941 when we went from one war to another and another without a pause – or thought.»

September 28, 2006

Gore Vidal

From «Bread and Circuses» by Adrian Murdoch

I. On homophobia and other issues...

This is how a student from Cyprus decided to protest. At first it seems paradoxical, contradictory, even shocking, I'd say...
But then again, what a fabulous idea!


From Bruce @ «Not so different»


i) "Throughout western and central Europe, without a politically active and potent Church to turn homophobia into doctrine and then into law, the way is open for reason to prevail and for gay people to be able to claim their rights."

It's happening already, slowly but steadily, in Spain and, in a lesser extent, in Portugal. The Penal Code is about to be revised, and more severe penalties have been added in cases of sexual hatred, homophobia, etc. I can only hope this new Code will be approved by National Assembly without the usual tricks from right‑wing hypocrites. And more I won't say for glass roofs are all over…

ii) "Even if a European gay man manages to move away [from his home town] to a different city, he is still expected to, and almost always does maintain very close contact with his family, even if they are inveterate homophobes. This situation is most extreme in Italy, where a man’s ties to his mother are legendary, but it is even true in the northern countries. It is, therefore, very difficult for a European gay man to separate emotionally from a family that refuses to accept his sexual orientation."

I believe this situation is gradually changing, though very, very slowly indeed. The Mamma character is overwhelming in Southern Europe. And this seems still to be undisputable…

iii) "Contributing to this problem is the general physical immobility of European society. Most Europeans grow up, are educated, work, and die in or very near the city where they were born. Also, unlike more recent American society, changing jobs too often is seen, in Europe as a sign of unreliability, disloyalty, and general instability."

This is perhaps the problem's touchstone as I see it. I am a «good» example of both geographical immobility and unchanged job (though I've recently tried to reverse the situation, but it's not easy at all.) There are still far too many hindrances along the way.

iv) "If personal blog sites do exist among gay Europeans (…), I would assume that they would be used primarily by very young people."

This is my opinion as well. Most of Portuguese overtly gay bloggers (as far as I could assess myself the situation up till now) are young people indeed attending University.

v) "All these factors considered, therefore, I would say that it is probably easier to be gay in the US, especially in a city, than it is in Europe. Despite much firmer legal status and protection, and despite more or less the same degree of acceptance by the straight community, European gay men have a somewhat more difficult time integrating their sexual identity into their everyday lives than their American brothers do."

… As I would have most certainly not said it better, here is the quote of Bruce's latest article (not post!) on these candent matters. Please, do read it at «Not so different»! (Click here or at my blogroll on Bruce.)

… And don't forget it, dear blogger friends! Your opinions do matter! And I would like very much to hear them!

Palaeontologists of the world, unite!

Can you imagine, dear blogger friends, a «homo sapiens» child's reaction to a «pithecanthropus»?!

No? Neither could I nor any scientist, I'm sure, until this chance presented itself…

The living proof is right in front of your eyes.

This is the once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity for each and every palaeontologist. They must get together for a thorough results evaluation after going through research data...

What will the future of that child be like?
How much trauma has that child been exposed to?
Is there any therapy that may help that poor child recover from such a close encounter? (Reparative what?… Sorry, I can't hear you…)

This is my reaction to the news in The New York Times (yesterday) about unspeakable plans to start World War III…
I can deal with this only in one of two ways: either I believe the journalist or I don't. History has proven «beyond the reasonable doubt» I should analyse carefully the first hypothesis. That's why I'm so angry.

Comentando esta preciosidade fotográfica há algumas semanas, eis o que me saiu: «Olha só, uma foto que faria feliz qualquer paleontólogo: um pitecantropo com uma cria de «homo sapiens» nas mãos!»

Does this make any sense? Not to me, it doesn't...

I remember quite well buying a beautiful black T‑shirt at a gay shop – breaking news to me then – at Greenwich Village, when I've been to New York City a few years ago. In front, in an eye‑catching white lettering, you could read:

HATE is not a family value!

I believe you must have seen that same collection and even may have bought some of those incredible pieces of irony as:

I can't even think straight…

What glorious laughs I had then… Bill Clinton was President, and everything seemed to be going the right direction.

Now you can have «reparative therapy» at your service if you ever intend to become an «ex‑gay»… I ask once again: Is everyone gone totally insane, crazy, barking mad, whatever?!